What is the job of the third crewman (sitting between the pilot and the gunner) in Devastators and Kates?

I'm guessing "radio and navigator"... If so, why does there have to be a third guy?

I'm guessing that the US Navy judged the third man fairly superfluous at some point since the SBD and SB2C had only 2 crew. But I'm curious why they thought the extra man was worth the extra training and personel costs early on...?

XyZspineZyX

12-04-2004, 04:25 PM

What is the job of the third crewman (sitting between the pilot and the gunner) in Devastators and Kates?

I'm guessing "radio and navigator"... If so, why does there have to be a third guy?

I'm guessing that the US Navy judged the third man fairly superfluous at some point since the SBD and SB2C had only 2 crew. But I'm curious why they thought the extra man was worth the extra training and personel costs early on...?

CdnSpits

12-04-2004, 04:45 PM

Well your right he was a radio/nav operator and an extra set of eyes and yes he became redondent. The early Avengers had a third crewman as well but he manned the ventral machine gun as well. MAybe the early radio and nav equipment was difficult to operate and required a third crewman to operate....

MBot

12-04-2004, 04:59 PM

Operated the bombsight in level bombing. In the Avanger aswell.

Tater-SW-

12-04-2004, 05:09 PM

As I recall, Kates only carried the 3d crewman when level bombing, not when on torpedo attacks (except as an observer at times). Someone better with the IJN might be able to clarify that.

tater

Sakai9745

12-05-2004, 09:51 AM

Sounds about right. 1 Pilot, 1 Bombardier/Navigator/Observer, and 1 Radio Operator/Rear Gunner. I've never heard about the mid-position being optional, though. Then again, I'm more an afficinado than an expert. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

DuxCorvan

12-05-2004, 10:36 AM

He was a psychologist, put there to help the pilot and gunner to cope with the fact they were flying a shooting duck.

Gunner: "Aaaaargh! What are you doing!"
Therapist: "Be quiet. He's a professional. He knows what is better for his safety and yours. You're the perfect working team."
Pilot: "They're tearing us apart! Heeeelp!"
Therapist: "Ease your mind. Help will arrive soon, trust your friends. Maintain calm, your skills will save us. Don't despair."

http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/16x16_smiley-tongue.gif

aminx

12-05-2004, 10:53 AM

i think he helped with the sandwiches and beer.
aminx

Sakai9745

12-05-2004, 12:50 PM

An addendum to the last two posts:

Primary Duty: serving the sushi and saki.

Secondary Duty: being in the middle, less likely to be killed by enemy fighter gunfire, thus served to confirm his crewmates' fates.